WRD signs labor agreement to affirm practice of hiring local workers

The Water Replenishment District of Southern California (WRD) issued a press release July 20 announcing that it has signed a labor agreement with the Los Angeles/Orange Counties Building and Construction Trades Council that affirms the District’s longstanding practice to hire local workers. The agreement ensures that all WRD projects will financially benefit the cities served by the District, according to the press release.
In 2008 the WRD adopted a resolution to establish project labor agreements (PLA) for District construction projects. The new agreement formalizes that resolution.
“This project labor agreement represents WRD’s commitment to ensuring optimum productivity and high quality District construction projects while also guaranteeing that working men and women within our service area are provided good-paying jobs,” said WRD Board President Albert Robles. “Our Board is proud that this PLA will create local hiring preferences and thereby keep dollars circulating throughout our region.”
According to the WRD, the Los Angeles/Orange Counties Building and Construction Trades Council represent a highly trained workforce of approximately 150,000 members, as well as an active apprentice program.
“We are proud to be working with WRD,” said Robbie Hunter, the executive secretary for the Los Angeles/Orange Counties Building and Construction Trades Council. “Partnerships like this increase productivity in the region and are a driving force for the local economy.”
The primary mission of the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California (SBCTC) is to improve the health, jobs safety and economic conditions of the members of its affiliates, and of all working men, women and minors in the construction industry by all lawful means.
“Project labor agreements, like the one we signed today, raise the quality of life for workers by providing good-paying jobs and benefits that help sustain their families,” added Robles. “The local hiring component in the agreement will result in more dollars being spent within our communities and will contribute in strengthening our local economy.”
Source: WRD